May 6, 2022
VIRTUAL DROP-IN CHAT WITH THE MAYOR: EVENING ENCORE FUNDING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR GROWTH
Join us online for a special evening encore Drop-in Chat with the Mayor on Thursday, May 12 from 6 - 7 p.m. to discuss Funding Infrastructure for Growth. The District invests tens of millions of dollars each year in infrastructure renewal to meet and sustain the needs of the Squamish community now and into the future. This work is guided by 15 Master Plans developed to help us identify and prioritize our infrastructure investments, maintenance and replacement through 2049, and a 10-year capital planning financial model to identify how to fund it all.

Join members of Council and staff online to learn and ask questions about:
  • The master planning process
  • How capital plans are prioritized and funded
  • Capital projects planned for 2022 including facilities upgrades and the Wastewater Treatment Plant project.

PUBLIC WORKS OPEN HOUSE MAY 18
Drop in to join members of Council, members of the Public Works team, and District staff at the Public Works Yard to celebrate and learn about all-things public works in Squamish on Wednesday, May 18 between 5 and 7:30 p.m. Bring the kids!

Kids (and kids at heart) can check out the equipment, sit in an excavator, and learn about how the water and sewer system works in Squamish through an interactive display. Attendees can enter to win one of four beautiful District hanging baskets created during the event.

Staff will lead guided tours of the public works yard throughout the evening.

Join us to learn more about the public works facility replacement plan and how it will be funded, and the critical role Public Works plays in our community. Light refreshments provided.
FREE SUPPORT FOR HOME ENERGY UPGRADES IS COMING TO WHISTLER AND SQUAMISH 
Updating your home to be more energy-efficient just got easier in Squamish and Whistler. This week the communities launched Retrofit Assist, a free service to guide homeowners through the seemingly daunting transition to an electric home heating system, such as a heat pump. The Retrofit Assist service will guide homeowners in making a plan, connecting to an Energy Advisor and contractors while explaining the details of financing, rebates and incentives.  The first phase of the program will focus on home heating and cooling as it is one of the most impactful ways to address pollution from buildings. Beyond meeting local climate goals, heat pumps offer homeowners other benefits. Heat pumps act like air conditioners in the hot summer months. They are the most energy-efficient heating and cooling system currently available and have filtration to ensure healthy indoor air. 

Homeowners and HVAC contractors are encouraged to visit retrofitassist.ca to learn how the program can support them and see if they are eligible to participate.   
PUBLIC HEARING - HAVE YOUR SAY
A Public Hearing is being held on Tuesday, May 10 at 6 p.m.
 
What’s proposed: Rezoning to permit development of 20 duplex units, 18 townhouses and 194 apartments.
A copy of the proposed bylaw and related information that has been or may be considered by the Council can be inspected online (learn more below) or at Municipal Hall, 37955 Second Avenue, from April 29 to May 10. Please contact the Planning Department on 604.815.5002 for any questions. All submissions will form part of the public record. Council will not consider submissions received after the close of the Public Hearing.
OUTDOOR WATER USE RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AWARENESS WEEK: MAYOR FOR A DAY SUBMISSIONS ON NOW
The District of Squamish celebrates Local Government Awareness Week May 16-22 to raise awareness about the vital role local government plays in our community. Local youth are invited once again to be selected as Mayor for a Day, where they and a friend will be taken on a tour of the Police Station and Municipal Hall, ride in a fire truck, and enjoy a pizza lunch with their whole class!
 
Let us know what you would do if you were Mayor for a day! Submit your letter, picture, video, poem or song to Mayor Karen Elliott at Municipal Hall during office hours, or in the after-hours drop box (to the right of Municipal Hall front doors), or mail to “Mayor for a Day”, PO Box 310, Squamish, BC, V8B 0A3 or by email to [email protected].
 
Deadline: Wednesday, May 11 at 5 p.m. Include the student’s name, age and grade, teacher’s name and school on the entry.
WEEKLY ORGANICS COLLECTION UNDERWAY
Don't Forget: organics totes are collected within a condensed 4-hour timeframe to reduce access to non-natural food in our neighbourhoods. Place your totes curbside and unlocked no later than 7 a.m. on your collection day (and never the night before!).

Recycling totes will be serviced after the organic totes. Please be sure to rinse your recycling to reduce odours and eliminate any remnants of food.
TRANSIT ONGOING RESPONSE
In response to the ongoing labour dispute between BC Transit's contractors and their unionized employees, Mayor Karen Elliott, Mayor Jack Crompton (Resort Municipality of Whistler) and Mayor Mike Richman (Village of Pemberton) are working hard to collectively voice their concerns to influence all parties involved through persistent correspondence, meetings and highlighting real-life challenges from residents without transit. 

We encourage everyone to lend their voice to our efforts by urging negotiations and restoring transit service in our community. Click the link below to visit the Chamber of Commerce website, view their awareness campaign, and send your letter today.
COMMUNITY NOTICES AND EVENTS
Wildfire Preparedness Workshop for Squamish and Paradise Valley Farms, Ranches, and Rural Properties

Farmers, ranchers, and rural property owners are invited to attend this workshop, which will highlight potential wildfire risks to agricultural operations and the measures producers can take to prepare for and mitigate those risks. The session will also cover key content in the Farm/Ranch wildfire guide and workbook. Please email [email protected] to register by Thursday, May 5.

When: May 11 - 7 - 9 p.m.
Where: Cheakamus Centre in Melody Hall, 2170 Paradise Valley Road.
Downtown maintenance notice

Cleanup and Maintenance work will be underway next week in Downtown Squamish. Please expect the following:
 
Cleveland Avenue Traffic Island Maintenance:
 
  • Lane closures will be in effect between Highway 99 and Hunter/Buckley Avenue on Tuesday, May 10 between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.
  • Lane closures will be in effect between Buckley/Hunter Avenue and Bailey Street on Wednesday, May 11 between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m.
 
Downtown Sidewalk Maintenance and Street Sweeping:
 
  • Street sweeping will take place on Thursday, May 12 beginning at 4 a.m. We suggest that if you are a light sleeper, please plan accordingly.
  • Downtown Sidewalk Maintenance: Work will take place throughout the Downtown core on Thursday, May 12 between 6 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
2022/2023 Ice Allocation

Ice User Requests for August 15, 2022, to May 31, 2023, are now being accepted.

Deadline: Tuesday, May 24.

Ice Allocation Meeting
Brennan Park Recreation Centre
Black Tusk Room
Wednesday, June 8 at 7 p.m.

Application details and the application form are available at squamish.ca/iceallocation or call Brennan Park at 604.898.3604 to obtain a paper copy.
Annual Mayor's Luncheon hosted by Squamish Chamber of Commerce

Join the Chamber to help celebrate the amazing entrepreneurs, progressive businesses, and strong leaders who are dedicated to improving the well-being of this wonderful community.  

Hear from Squamish Mayor Karen Elliott, while enjoying lunch with old and new acquaintances. An audience question and answer period will be facilitated following the Mayor's address.  

When: June 1, 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
Where: Howe Sound Brew Pub. 
Filming and Noise Exemptions

  • A Noise Exemption has been granted for a private event located at 38544 Sky Pilot Drive through to Saturday, May 7 from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.
  • A Noise Exemption has been granted to SORCA for an event located at Quest University for May 7 from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.

  • A Work Permit has been approved for filming on Paradise Valley Road on May 6 from 7 - 8 a.m. Please expect three-minute delays. There will be no filming during rush hours. Signage will be placed on-road and letters have been distributed to affected businesses and residents.
Annual sanitary sewer flushing, video inspection and vapour testing

CCTV inspection and vapour testing in the Industrial Park, Loggers Lane, Hospital Hill and Valleycliffe areas is underway. Detailed notices will be delivered to affected residents and businesses in the area in advance.

Timeframe: through May 15.
Complete the business census survey and help foster a thriving business community

An in-person business census is underway to gather data that will help support business retention and expansion efforts, including employment space development, business programming, and services. Members of the local business community will benefit from tools, resources, planning efforts, and services which will be informed by this business census. Survey staff will be visiting local businesses and will ask business owners and managers to participate in a short 10-minute survey.

The survey is being conducted by Forum Research on behalf of the District of Squamish, the Squamish Chamber of Commerce, and Tourism Squamish.
BC Electoral Boundaries Commission Public Hearing Notice

The BC Electoral Boundaries Commission is reviewing the electoral districts for provincial elections. To help prepare its preliminary report, the Commission is seeking input from the public on the area, boundaries and names of the electoral districts that will be used for the next two provincial general elections. District boundaries are an important part of ensuring that each area of B.C. is represented in the provincial legislature. A public meeting will be held in Squamish on May 12 at 1 p.m. at the Executive Suites Hotel and Resort Squamish, Garibaldi Room (40900 Tantalus Road). This opportunity to shape how you’re represented in the Legislature only comes around after every second provincial election. Have your say!
DEVELOPMENT SHOWCASE
Latest additions to the Development Showcase:

1331, 1251, 1100 Bailey Street, and 38261 Cleveland Avenue - Development Permit
38872 Garibaldi Avenue - Development Variance Permit
38373 Buckley Avenue - Development Permit
Upcoming Events: